Raising Digitally Responsible Youth
Raising Digitally Responsible Youth - A Resource for Parents
Addressing the 21st century skill of digital citizenship is important at both school and home. It's never too early to teach digital citizenship. With the implementation of technology we strive to ensure our students are not just digital users, but digital leaders.
In a joint statement, the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Fred Rogers Centre believe:
"Digital Citizenship is an important part of digital literacy for young children. Digital Citizenship in the context of early childhood programs refers to the need for adults to help children develop an emerging understanding of the use, misuse and abuse of technology and the norms of appropriate, responsible, and ethical behaviours related to online rights, roles, identity, safety, security and communication."
It takes a team to prepare today's digital citizens. Parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators must work together to help ensure today's learners are intelligent and empathetic digital citizens when navigating through the online world.
As one of the 2016 ISTE Standards for Students, digital citizenship is a key skill for living and working in a connected world. Ask us how you can integrate and embed Digital Citizenship right into your curriculum.
Staff Professional Development
A great resource for staff and parents is Common Sense Education. This web resource contains digital citizenship and digital literacy interactive games and activities to empower students to use technology responsibly, safely, and effectively. The website also includes reviews and ratings on many EdTech websites and activities, quick how-to-videos, and easy-to-implement lesson plans. There is also an extensive toolkit for professional development at the school level.
Strategies for Implementation at the School Level
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Staff communication (staff meeting, pd session, etc.) to inform staff that these outcomes and documents exist and what they mean if needed.)
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As a staff create or agree upon an existing scope and sequence of activities that address digital citizenship topics.
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Develop teacher-leaders or mentors to work with staff and students together.
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Provide staff with ongoing training during their work day. It could include team teaching, in-school professional development days, observation, coaching and adequate time to become comfortable with digital culture.
Connecting Families
Common Sense Education is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and empowering schools and families to help kids harness the potential of technology for learning and life.